I want to thank you for your prayers during our recent mission trip to Nicaragua.  They were definitely answered!  This was my eighth time there in a four year period and I have to say, this was the best trip I've been on yet.  A team of nine of us ministered to the sick with a four day a dental and medical clinic.  We provided spiritual encouragement to Pastor Leon, Pastor Carlos and their churches, and distributed shoes and clothing to needy recipients.  We also had a tremendous time of praise and worship with my friend John Prince from Houston.  Pastor Leon's church prayed long and hard for John last year that he be healed of cancer.  Today he is cancer-free!  What a special time it was to give praise and glory to the Lord together!

Another great thing occurred when we checked in on the progress of the construction work for the new church, Iglesia Manantial de Vida.  Three of our men helped with the construction last March.  We were blown away when we found that it was finished - electricity, water, lights and all.  It even had a tiled floor and built-in altar.  How they were able to stretch the dollars that our church family contributed over the past year to get the work done is a true testimony of God's power.  We had a celebration service on the last night of our trip and about 250 people participated.  It was fantastic!

I believe what makes our trips there so special is that we are right in the center of God's will, doing something that is close to His heart.  We started each day with the Lord together as we shared a devotion with each other.  On the very first day I shared with the team this Scripture passage. I believe it speaks to what I am referring:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all all things, may have an abundance for every good work.  As it is written:  "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."  (2corinthians 9:8-9, NKJV)

This Scripture passage reminded us all that God has given us the ability and desire to do mission trips because of the incredible grace God has imparted to us through the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are His hands and feet that carry His love and grace across the world to those in need.  I hope in the future you will get in on the joy that so m any of us have been experiencing as we go to Nicaragua.  To God be the glory!

Hooked on missions and hoping you will be too,

Pastor Jeff Chadwick

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